The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-13
A BLOW IN CONGRESS.
a Pistol Shot Its Sequel - An Incident
of Forty Years Ago.
FlONl the B0StOn BMHQet

From the Boston Budget
There was a wild scene on the floor of the
House of Representatives on April 49, 1874,
after II speech by ex-Speaker White, of
Kentucky, whose subject was the tariff.
He did not, however, confine himself to the
subject He took occasion to defend Mr..
Clay from the charge Of intrigue, bargain
and corruption" urged against him in 1925,
when he accepted the appointment as Secre-
tary OF State from Mr. Adams, and also
from the charge of having made a speech i'll
which he declared that 1--WE must have white
slaves, If we had not black slaves
When Mr.. White had taken his seat some
conversation arose among members i'll his
neighborhood upon the subject, and Mr..
Rathbun, of New York, remarked that the
charges against Mr. Clay were true, and
could be proved. Mr. White, being irri-
tated by the remarks made sharp reply.
Mr.. Rathbun, after the exchange of a word
or two with Mr.. White, struck him. Mr..
White returned the blow, and the parties
were Immediately engaged in close conflict
on the floor All this was the work of an
instant. The members interfered in bodies.
During the melee young man from Ken
lucky, named Moore, who had been admit
ted upon the floor, rushed into the crowd of
members within the bar, i'll violent and
menacing manner. He was seized by some
members and dragged out.
Mr.. McCauslen, of1 Ohio, thrust him out
the door. The mahogany doors were fas
tened back, as usual, and green cloth doors
substituted. Moore drew pistol and fired
| upon McCausen through the door. The
ball, missing its object, took effect upon the
thigh of Mr. j. L. Writ, one of the watch
men of the capitol. The ball entered the
inner part of the thigh and passing around
the bone lodged
The chairman of the committee resigned
his seat TO the Speaker, and the Sergeant-at-
| arms appeared among the combatants with
the mace. Tranquility was in amoment re-
stored As to Moore, he was seized by Gen.
Dodge, and kept tranquil till he was arrested
in due form by the Sergeant-at-arms.
Mr.. Dromgoole moved that the parties to
the affray be brought to the bar of the
House for trial
Mr.. Saunders suggested that committee
be appointed to inquire into and report upon
| the facts.
| Mr.. White rose, and in a brief and very
proper manner, expressed his deep regret at
| the occurrence, and apologized to the House
| for his participation in it.
| Mr.. Rathbun followed and submitted him
| self to the Judgment of the House, apologize
| ing to all around for what he had done
| through hasty temper, and declaring that
| he felt nothing but the greatest respect and
| friendship for the gentleman from Ken
| lucky
| Mr. White thereupon offered his hand to
Mr.. Rathbun, declaring that after the gen
| tlelnan's declaration, it was not in his nature
to entertain any unkind feelings toward
| him
This reconciliation had so dramatic an
| effect that the whole audience, on the floor
and in the galleries, began simultaneously
to applaud by clapping of hands.
| Mr.. Dromgoole withdrew his proposition
| and remarked that he did not consider ii
necessary to pursue the subject
Mr. Saunders thought it due to the House
that an inquiry should be made The
matter would go forth to the public and
would be misrepreSented. There should be
all authentic report of the matter, if moth
ing else was done.
Mr.. Holiness after some preliminary re-
marks on the disgraceful character OF these
disorders, said he felt it due to his constit-
uents and to the country to offer resolu-
ton, which he sent to the chair, viz. That
the Hon John White, of Kentucky, and the
| Hon. B. Rathbun, OF New York, be ex,
PEELED from this House"
The end of the matter was that oil other
propositions being rejected or withdrawn it
was ordered that a committee of five be APP
pointed to inquire into and report upon the
subject.
Acts of violence on the floor had often oc
cured, but this was the first instance of the
interference of a stranger, and an armed
man, in the ARRAYS of the House, on the
floor and in full session 1t was an evil
precedent, and the more SO inasmuch as the
| offender was said to be responsible and re-
spectacle man.